The last paragraph makes the “just medicine” theory hard to believe. Look at the ratio of people who had this surgery. You’d think it would be rare if it was heal head wounds from battle... but the article says 16 to 36 percent contained these holes?!??!? That’s crazy
From 411 skulls unearthed by different teams at six Peruvian sites dating from A.D. 1000 to the end of the Incas’ reign, the researchers identified 66 cases of trepanation. At pre-Inca sites, 5 to 8 percent of skulls displayed surgical openings. At Inca sites, 16 to 36 percent of skulls contained one or more trepanation holes.
16% to 36% is a very high number for medical treatment, exceeeding the rate of serious but normal diseases and physical ailments in the population.
Leading me to the conclusion that they must have thought that trepanation was the cure for the commone cold.
“Now this will hurt a bit, but for God’s sake, don’t sneeze!”